The Maryland Line in the Confederate States Army.Goldsborough, W. W. (William Worthington)
History
The Maryland Line in the Confederate States Army.
Goldsborough, W. W. (William Worthington)
Confederate States of America. Army; Maryland -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Of the many brave and noble men who have fought the invaders of
Southern soil, and have died in defence of Southern homes and
Southern rights, none deserve a higher tribute of praise, or a
larger measure of thanks from the Southern people than Colonel
Brown. A native of Montgomery county, Maryland, and a citizen of
that State, at the commencement of the present war, it would have
been but natural for him to have taken the passive attitude which
was assumed by his State, where he would now in all probability be
gladdening by his presence a large circle of relatives and friends,
instead of throwing dark shadows around their hearts from his lowly
grave in Virginia. But like many other noble sons of Maryland, he
left his quiet and secure home to give his services to the Southern
Confederacy, threatened with subjugation, and even extermination. He
labored day and night in its service, and has poured out his life’s
blood upon its altar.
He came to Virginia on the first day of June, 1861, and was mortally
wounded on the first day of June, 1864, just three years after. He
entered the army in the capacity of a private. In less than a year
he was raised to the position of a lieutenant; he soon reached the
rank of captain, and was then promoted to a lieutenant colonelcy. To
each of those positions he was lifted by merit alone, and would
probably have soon reached much higher rank, had not envious death
closed his career.
Never was there an officer more beloved by his command, and never
was there one who more deserved it. As brave as a lion in time of
danger, he was as careful of his men as a mother of her children.
His men say that when thrown upon his own responsibility he never
led them into a position of peril without first examining it
himself; nor ordered them to go where he was not ready to lead; and
they felt perfectly secure under his leadership. After his promotion
to the command of a regiment of cavalry, it was remarked that he was
much more silent than before. A friend asked him the reason. He
replied that so many lives committed to his charge involved a
responsibility which pressed heavily upon him.
He was a Christian man, and death has been his gain. The loss is all
to those who remain behind—to his parents, who have lost a devoted
son; to his acquaintances, who have lost one of friendship’s
greatest treasures; to the Confederacy, which has lost one of its
most valuable defenders. But more than this—morality has lost one of
its best examplars, and chivalry one of her noblest sons. His
influence for good in his command, who can supply?
Many soldiers and many citizens will mingle their tears on his
grave, to water the flowers which friendship and affection will
plant there; and when flowers shall wither, his memory will continue
to bloom in many hearts.
A VIRGINIAN.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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